First-time dad? Congratulations! Buckle up, buddy. You’re about to be confused, exhausted, emotionally overwhelmed—and somehow still the happiest you’ve ever been.
Let’s break it down with some real talk, helpful tips, and hard-earned laughs from the dad trenches. We thank Charlie, Eric, Greg, Justin, and Ty-Shawn—all members of the extended Children’s Trust family in South Carolina. These men channeled their inner stand-up comic and shared their best one-liners and heartfelt memories about fatherhood.
Enjoy.
Feel ALL the Feels.
Pride, amazement, wonder, doubt—all the emotions and “feels” of being a new dad. Yet, with the ability to tap into your “village,” lean into all your life lessons—written and unsaid—and find a way to show up every day and do only your best, you seem to figure out a way to build beauty and legacy.
Gamify Everything.
Make it ALL competitive, with energy like the bottom of the ninth, bases loaded kind of game. Think about the “Perfect Aim Boys Peeing Competition! The video games that hide the math practice. Running short of time in the morning? Make it the “Olympic Speed Dressing Finals.” Need help raking the yard? Present it as the “Indy Rake 500.” Dinner time? Use Greg’s secret weapon, “There’s NO WAY you can finish all that broccoli,” and watch your child morph into a competitive eater.
You’re not just a dad—you’re a game show host with zero budget and infinite imagination. May the odds be ever in your favor.
Poop Pride Is Real.
At some point, your child’s poop will be so uncomfortably large and they will drag you in EVERY SINGLE TIME for an official viewing. Go. Yes, it’s weird. Yes, it will ruin your lunch. But these are the moments you’ll weirdly miss when they’re teens.
Age Without Maturing.
We have all heard, “grow up and act your age.”? Ignore that. Sometimes you need to stay connected to your younger self. Build pillow forts. Make fart jokes. Wear a cape. Be ridiculous. You’re not raising robots—you’re raising little weirdos who think you’re the funniest person on Earth.
Nap Like a Champion.
Kids don’t listen to what you say—they copy what you do. So, if you want your child to nap, you must model the behavior. That’s right: your new responsibility as a dad is to take more naps.
You’re not lazy. You’re leading by example.
Appreciating Your Parents.
When you become a dad, you gain a whole new understanding of your parents and their decisions while raising you. You can grow to appreciate their decisions in how they raised you, especially if they were working to break cycles of generational dysfunction.
Many new parents say, “I had no idea how much my parents loved me until I had a child of my own.”
Tag In, Not Out.
Be involved. Share the load. Celebrate the tiniest moments, like the 2 a.m. smile that tells you you are the most incredible human ever. Believe those smiles.
You will be learning and growing right alongside your new little human. Take stock of these changes and treasure them.
Keep the Small Stuff Small.
Let the dishes pile up sometimes. No one’s dying because the laundry’s still in the dryer, and it won’t matter in 2 weeks if you emptied the dishwasher or folded the clothes. You may feel overwhelmed. Remember: that’s not weakness—that’s parenting.
Disconnect from Your More Serious Self.
Toughness isn’t about being stoic or acting like you’re in an action movie. Toughness is staying up through the night, doing chores when exhausted and staying committed to your health. It’s eating a bowl of cereal while holding a crying baby with the other hand. It’s patience and learning to laugh when you want to cry into the cereal bowl. Be the goofy, loving, silly, present dad your child needs and wants.
Sleep Deprivation Is Real.
You can function on 3 hours of sleep and a leftover rock-hard half bagel. However, be careful about making major life decisions during Year One, like switching careers or buying a two-seater sports car that won’t accommodate a car seat.
Capture the Chaos (But Keep It Private-ish).
Document the good, the bad, and the diaper blowouts. Create a digital album or frame to share with your village. Hold off on the live stream, sharing your child’s every sneeze on social media. Your kid will appreciate the privacy later—trust us.
You’re Not Alone.
You will find out that ALL dads are different, but we all live the SAME lives. A wise man once told me, ‘The days are long, but the years are short.’ Enjoy every moment. Welcome to fatherhood! YOU WILL BE GREAT.”
Happy Father’s Day, rookie. You’re already crushing it.
